Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 11

March is a month when the weather often starts to break,
and it's the only month when I can't fish the stream as it
becomes closed prior to the start of trout season. I live in
Perry County, so the stream is in the southeast regional
opening zone. Opening day of trout comes early for us. I
usually take my son and a few of his friends out for opening
day of trout, and each year is different. Sometimes, they may
catch and release as many as 30 trout between them, and
other years only a few fish are landed. From the opening day
of trout until the middle of May, I know the stream will often
be crowded, and it will be a rare occasion when we have it to
ourselves. Both the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
and the local sportsmen's club stock it. This past year found
lots of ice along the bank on opening morning and the fishing
was slow. The boys landed two trophy golden rainbow trout
and had fun reeling in some smaller trout as well.
In late April and early May, things really start to green
up. The fishing gets better as the water warms. By mid-May,
the stream has been stocked at least four times, and other
species in the stream are starting to get active. Trout lilies and
May apples sprout up, and the banks change from shades of
brown to a mosaic of greens.
By June, the anglers that pursue trout have left the stream
alone, and I often have the best stretches to myself. The trees
have completely leafed out, and Cardinal flowers and other
vegetation crowd the bank. The water is starting to warm,
and I can often spot a few Smallmouth Bass on beds if I
move stealthily enough.
In July and August, I know that I can count on catching
numbers of fish and lots of different species each time that I

During the winter months, we mainly catch Brown Trout
or Fallfish.
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

Nathan Woleslagle with an early September Brown Trout.

steal away. I have often caught seven species or more in a single
evening's fishing. It isn't at all uncommon to catch Smallmouth
Bass, Rock Bass, Green Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Bluegills,
Fallfish, Common Shiners, Creek Chubs and an occasional
Brown Trout or Rainbow Trout in one outing. When you fish a
stream often enough, you will usually come up with a surprise
fish or two. This past year, I was stunned to catch a nice Yellow
Perch and a couple of Largemouth Bass.
My favorite time to fish the stream is probably September
and October. The water is beginning to once again cool down,
and the fishing is some of the best of the year. It almost seems
like the surrounding woodlands are giftwrapping this excellent
fishing with the brilliant fall foliage that surrounds the water.
The fish themselves are often more full of color during the fall
as though they don't want to be outdone by the trees or the
brilliant wood ducks that we sometimes flush from along the
bank. The hold over and wild trout are much more active in
this colder water, and it is when I catch the biggest Smallmouth
Bass of the year from its pools as they fatten up before winter
once again sets in. My favorite tactic is to fish live shiners or
minnows in the pools. I like to cast from as far away as I can to
avoid disturbing the holes but still land my offering in a prime
spot. Often, the minnow will just sink below the surface, and
I will see a bulge in the water as a hungry bass engulfs it. It is
extremely rare to see anyone else fishing it in the fall, and I
always seem to get surprised by the offerings of the stream. I
have caught Rainbow Trout up to 21 inches long, large Brown
Trout and Smallmouth Bass up to 3 pounds.
In November and December, the water is once again cold
enough that most of the fish except for trout and Fallfish have
shut down. The crystal clear water seems at times to be as lifeless
as the now barren landscape. With a little effort, I can coax a fish
here and there. If you have a stream close, I highly recommend
following it throughout the seasons. In time, it will seem like an
old familiar friend, and you may be amazed by its offerings.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2015

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015

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